Demand Planner

ZAGG Inc. (NASDAQ: ZAGG) is a leading mobile device accessories and technology company with products that protect, personalise and enhance a consumer’s mobile experience. ZAGG differentiates itself as the preferred brand by offering creative product solutions through targeted global distribution channels, with the broadest product offering in its sector. With a brand portfolio that includes ZAGG® and iFrogz™, the company manufactures and markets a complete line of products to improve the functionality of portable gadgets, including keyboards, cases, audio and protective films, through direct, retail, specialty and international channels. More information about the company and its brands is at www.ZAGG.com.

Position Summary:

The Demand Planner will work cross functionally with our Sales, Operations, Product and Finance teams and be accountable for communicating key changes and exceptions to these teams. This position will be responsible for the planning and tracking open to buy, forecasting and analysis of key accounts / regions. The planner will partner with regions / accounts to develop sound plans and forecasts through Integrated Business Planning. The person will handle internal and external communications for new purchase orders, change -orders, returns and backlog management. Interfaces with customers, field and 3PL personnel including Sales, Operations, Logistics and Finance. The Demand planner ensures alignment of budget, sales forecasts and other business goals.

Responsibilities:

Responsible for coordinating the creation, review and tracking of demand plans at a product line and SKU level by key account / country / region with roll up to an EMEA and APAC level.
Partner with Sales, operations and Product to identify demand assumptions that will drive a monthly unit forecast across all product lines ensuring our monthly unit forecasts are aligned with customer and company objectives.
Predict trends and analyze sales numbers to identify what we need from a demand perspective.
Develop knowledge of our product portfolio and product roadmap to ensure accurate demand coverage for all NPI launches.
Engage with Sales and Product Leaders on NPI launch planning including forecast inputs both quantitative and qualitative.
Implement forecast related solutions within the scope of our company strategy.
Provide executive level summary for any key shifts or updates to the demand and supply plan.
Material and service sourcing, purchase order management, order placement, delivery and payment process, cost benefits and analysis.
Create forecasts using history, current trend, sales forecasts, market conditions, and other pertinent information and update as necessary.
Planning of production and work order release based on material supply and demand.
Reviewing sales prospects and provide input to the Company Integrated Business Planning process (IBP)
Supplier interaction in different geographies.
Backlog review and shortage analysis.
Continuously monitor inventory levels and actively reduce liability in line with the company’s inventory targets including global inventory reviews, MRB & RMA processing as required.
Implement best practices for collaborative statistical forecasting processes, procedures & tools

Resolve all first line phone and email inquiries from the customer or sales team quickly and efficiently (Shipment tracking, Order Status, Inventory Status, RMA)
Provide daily reporting of open order status and shipments with tracking information.
Provide weekly order and shipment reports, forecast commitments as well as any additional as-hoc reporting requirements.
Participate in meetings pertaining to order status, forecast or customer status reviews.
Work on tools and metrics related to account manager role as required.
Project participation as required

Reporting to: International Supply Chain Manager

Candidate Specification

3rd level qualification degree in a relevant discipline or APIC’s qualification.
3+ years’ experience in a similar role an experience in working within an Integrated Business Planning process.
Experience in Logility / Planning Edge software tools preferable.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Advanced and demonstrable Excel skills, including pivot tables, macros, and advanced formulas.
Previous experience in Sales and Operations planning roles (Demand Planning, Supply Planning, forecasting etc.)
Ability to transform large volumes of data into decision grade information and communicate it effectively and convincingly.
Strong Analytical capability and attention to detail
Team Player and ability to work on own initiative.
Ability to meet production plan effectively.
Excellent interpersonal / relationship building skills.

Worldwide Demand Planner, Beats

Apple

Culver City, CA

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming great products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there’s no telling what you could accomplish. Make a difference. Apple is looking for a dynamic, Americas Operations Supply / Demand Planner. The Americas Operations Supply / Demand Product Planner will own the product availability and revenue plan attainment for one of Apple’s product lines throughout North and South America. In this role, you will act as focal point in development, communication, and execution of product demand and supply plans, to meet our overall financial goals. Initial product line focus will be settled at time of hire, and future opportunities might be in any of Apple’s product lines. Initial functional focus could be in either Allocation or Planning. Extraordinary operational excellence is a cornerstone of our success, and the Americas Supply Demand organization plays a meaningful role in ensuring operational and financial success for Apple.

Key Qualifications

Our successful candidate will have 3+ years Operations experience, preferably in a high tech or computer-related industry.
Prior experience in product planning, production control, inventory management, or production / manufacturing operations is strongly preferred.
In this role, you will combine a working understanding of premier supply chain practices, strong problem solving capabilities, and business savvy.
You are expected to exert thoughtful influence in a matrixed organization – should be a strong teammate and communicator.
You should be confident presenting to senior management.
Additional requirements include the ability to both think strategically and execute tactically, a persistent attention to detail, and a high level of amenity in working with numbers.

Description

Analyze forecasted demand, inventory, and channel and direct sell through, to develop and handle daily, weekly and quarterly supply plans. Results should meet Apple’s quarterly financial revenue plans, while achieving aggressive order cycle time goals and minimizing finished goods and raw material liability. Evaluate risks, plan and implement contingency plans to mitigate. Publish build plan to factories after reviewing capacity, materials, and customer demand. Track OEM performance against plan using production control management systems. Analyze product order bookings, backlog, and billings daily. Identify problem areas, and drive appropriate functional groups to correct. Partner closely with worldwide product planning to ensure supply plans support direct, retail store, and channel weekly sell through, while maintaining appropriate channel inventory levels. Coordinate with Sales and Finance teams to set launch quantities and to ensure smooth product transitions. Partner with logistics teams to determine and execute optimal supply chain for all product shipments, incorporating both cost and customer service metrics. Set supply chain cost targets for product line, measure actual achievement, target improvement. Present product status updates on a weekly basis to Americas Supply / Demand management team. Improve product allocation and planning processes. Identify improvement opportunities, marshal resources, and drive projects to completion, to achieve targeted measurable benefits.

Education & Experience

BA/BS Required. MBA Desirable. APICS certification a plus.

US Regional Demand Planner

Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies

DePuy Synthes Companies of Johnson & Johnson is the largest, most innovative and comprehensive orthopaedic and neurological business in the world. DePuy Synthes Companies offer an unparalleled breadth and depth of products, services and programs in the areas of joint reconstruction, trauma, spine, sports medicine, neurological, craniomaxillofacial, power tools and biomaterials. Building on the legacy and strengths of two great companies, more agile and better equipped to meet the needs of today’s evolving health care environment. With a focus on activating insights to develop innovative, comprehensive solutions, we are inspired to advance patient care in greater ways than either company could accomplish on its own.

Reporting to the US Regional Demand Planning Manager, the US Regional Demand Planner is responsible for leading the US demand Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process. You will be responsible for business planning, coordinating the US inventory strategy and planning activities, as well as driving US service management and product allocations, all aiming to deliver on key performance indicators including forecast accuracy, customer service, and inventory.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead Demand Planning and Trauma/CMF Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP Process)
Chair US Demand S&OP Meetings and other applicable S&OP forums
Responsible for S&OP adherence / compliance and driving continuous improvements in this area
Lead demand planning activities for assigned products by ensuring excellent integrity of both demand and forecast data
Manage assigned implant/instrument forecasts in a high SKU environment using statistical software and new product modeling
Responsible for achieving mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and forecast accuracy (Bias) targets and driving continuous improvements in this area
Review statistical forecast generated and provide input on changes that may be required. Collaborate with functions such as Sales, Marketing, Commercial Operations, and Finance to identify and incorporate market intelligence (events) into the demand forecast as aligned
Develop detailed execution plans and manage demand plans for new product introductions and life cycle management as required and aligned with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain
Adhere to the monthly forecast upload cycle and report forecast accuracy metrics and consumption data as required
Providing analytical and technical supply chain support for the assigned product portfolio and acting as a liaison between functions
Ensuring that demand planning, S&OP, and business planning processes align with overall global processes and objectives
Acting as single point of contact for US, for demand / forecast related activities for the sub-franchise
Clearly communicating with key stakeholders accordingly – including (but not limited to) sales, marketing, commercial operations, finance, and supply chain partners
Enable achievement of line item fill rate (LIFR) and On Time in Full (OTIF) targets and driving continuous improvements in this area
Enable achievement of inventory targets and drive optimization activities in this area
Perform supply chain activities related to network planning (inventory allocations and available to promise) and optimizing inventory in the distribution network

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required. MBA preferred
Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience required
Experience in medical device, consumer or pharmaceutical industries preferred
Hands on working experience with one or more of the following areas required: inventory/planning/order management/ ERP or MRP computer systems/financial processes
Ability to set clear priorities, timely decision making, strategic planning, good judgment, influencing and basic project management skills required
Understanding of distribution links within the supply chain required
S&OP experience preferred
General business knowledge of US & international markets preferred
Proficient in MS Office programs: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required
Proficient in advanced analytics and data visualization software design and usage (i.e. Tableau, PowerBI, Qlik) preferred
Keeps calm under challenging situations
Proactively prevents distribution disruptions and flags risks early
Strong English verbal and written communication skills
Excellent interpersonal skills/superior team player – builder
Problem solving and negotiation skills
Diversity awareness
Adaptable to meet rapidly changing priorities
Customer focus (both internal and external)
Up to 10% domestic/international travel required
Lean, Six-Sigma, IBF and/or APICS certification preferred